Historian explores Chinas political history

Dr Michael Lynch, Honorary Fellow in our School of History, Politics & International Relations, recently gave a lecture at the University of Melbourne on China’s political history.

The lecture, entitled ‘From Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping – the return of the Chinese emperors?’ explored China’s recent economic advance in relation to its political landscape.

Dr Lynch said “There are strong intimations that, in the midst of its remarkable economic advance, China may be returning to a form of imperial rule. Observers suggest that it is re-establishing a leadership personality cult. The centralised, personalised authority restored by Mao did not die with him but is currently being resurrected. China seems to be engaged in an astonishing attempt to modernise its economy while reverting to its traditional autocratic polity.”